Newsletter

County is healthiest in state

Third year study has named region in the top 3

St. Johns County can add another No. 1 to a growing list of accolades.

In addition to having the state’s No. 1 school district, the county is rated the healthiest in the state, according to a study released Tuesday by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps study ranked every county in the nation in two categories: health outcomes and health factors. St. Johns County was No. 1 for Florida in both, the study showed, up from No. 3 last year.

Union County, which contains Lake Butler, was last among the state’s 67 counties.

Counties are only compared within the state, not the nation, so there isn’t a healthiest county in the nation.

“We are excited about St. Johns County’s No. 1 ranking and proud to live and work in a community that puts an emphasis on the health and welfare of its residents,” Dr. Dawn C. Allicock, St. Johns County Health Department director, said.

“Here, in St. Johns County, the entire public health system understands that much of what affects our health occurs outside of the doctor’s office, and we all work together,” she said.

Flagler Hospital CEO Joe Gordy said the positive clinical outcomes showed “an ongoing commitment to quality care on the part of our staff, our community physicians and the many agencies we partner with in our region.”

Flagler Hospital was named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2012 by a leading health care research company, according to a health department news release.

The hospital also has earned national accreditation in key clinical areas, including stroke, chest pain, cancer and joint replacements among others, the release stated.

County School District Superintendent Joe Joyner pointed to the school district’s top slot, and said that he agreed the No. 1 health ranking slot “is tied to many factors, including the education and care of our children.

“I applaud the commitment of our educators and community partners to the education, health and safety of our students,” Joyner said.

In the health factors category, survey staff considered factors such as physical environment, education, employment, income, access to clinical care and health behaviors including tobacco and alcohol use, sexual activity and diet and exercise.

In the health outcomes category, they considered length and quality of life.

County Commission Chairman Mark Miner said in a prepared statement that the ranking “reflects the importance that the Board of County Commissioners places on health and human services and the other programs which add to the excellent quality of life here in St. Johns County.”

“We are fortunate in St. Johns County to have excellent partnerships within the community including the health department, Flagler Hospital, the school district, local nonprofit organizations and many others,” Miner said.

The study debuted in 2010. The county was first in the state that year in one category, health factors, and second in overall health, finishing behind Collier County on the southwest coast.

Last year, the county was No. 3.

Check out the study at countyhealthrankings.org.

“I am not surprised by our #1 ranking, My office is committed to serving and protecting St. Johns County, keeping it a safe place where our residents can enjoy an excellent quality of life.”